Frequently used for off-road assignments or for driving on extremely poor roads, jeeps and SUVs need to be fitted with particularly durable underbody panels. An innovative material solution for such custom parts is based on the continuous-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites of the Tepex brand made by LANXESS’s subsidiary Bond-Laminates GmbH.

An all-plastic brake pedal with an insert made of Tepex dynalite from LANXESS has been awarded first place in the “Body Interior” category of the Automotive Award of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).

Polyamides reinforced with a high glass fiber content can also replace metals in commercial vehicles, as demonstrated by two air filter carriers, which will be installed in the Mercedes-Benz Actros starting early next year. These structural parts are made of Durethan AKV 50 H2.0 from LANXESS, a polyamide 66 with a glass fiber content of 50 percent by weight.

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“Quality lightens” is LANXESS's motto at this year's VDI conference “Plastics in Automotive Engineering” in Mannheim. The focus will be on material and process solutions for car and commercial vehicle design that generate considerable weight savings and offer added value in terms of cost-effectiveness and component performance. One of the exhibits is an all-plastic brake pedal which weighs about half as much as a comparable steel structure and can also be manufactured in large-scale series production using a cost-effective one shot process. Photo: BOGE Elastmetall GmbH

An innovative material solution for particularly durable underbody panels is based on the composites of the Tepex brand. These enable the manufacture of virtually indestructible engine shields, fuel tank covers and center tunnel covers that are already in use on several standard models such as the Bentley Bentayga. Photo: LANXESS AG

An innovative material solution for particularly durable underbody panels is based on the composites of the Tepex brand. These enable the manufacture of virtually indestructible engine shields, fuel tank covers and center tunnel covers that are already in use on several standard models such as the Bentley Bentayga. Photo: LANXESS AG

An innovative material solution for particularly durable underbody panels is based on the composites of the Tepex brand. These enable the manufacture of virtually indestructible engine shields, fuel tank covers and center tunnel covers that are already in use on several standard models such as the Bentley Bentayga. Photo: LANXESS AG

An innovative material solution for particularly durable underbody panels is based on the composites of the Tepex brand. These enable the manufacture of virtually indestructible engine shields, fuel tank covers and center tunnel covers that are already in use on several standard models such as the Bentley Bentayga. Photo: LANXESS AG

An innovative material solution for particularly durable underbody panels is based on the composites of the Tepex brand. These enable the manufacture of virtually indestructible engine shields, fuel tank covers and center tunnel covers that are already in use on several standard models such as the Bentley Bentayga. Photo: LANXESS AG

The brake pedal weighs about half as much as a comparable steel structure. It can also be manufactured in large-scale series production using a cost-effective one shot process, and meets the high load requirements thanks to the multi-axial fiber layer construction of the Tepex insert. Photo: BOGE Elastmetall GmbH

The brake pedal weighs about half as much as a comparable steel structure. It can also be manufactured in large-scale series production using a cost-effective one shot process, and meets the high load requirements thanks to the multi-axial fiber layer construction of the Tepex insert. Photo: BOGE Elastmetall GmbH

The two air filter carriers for the Mercedes-Benz Actros are made of Durethan AKV 50 H2.0. This polyamide 66 with a glass fiber content of 50 percent by weight significantly reduces costs compared to the previous component design in steel, but still meets the high demands on dynamic strength. Photo: LANXESS AG

The two air filter carriers for the Mercedes-Benz Actros are made of Durethan AKV 50 H2.0. This polyamide 66 with a glass fiber content of 50 percent by weight significantly reduces costs compared to the previous component design in steel, but still meets the high demands on dynamic strength. Photo: LANXESS AG